We welcome you to the information page on the proposed integration of World Wings International and the Pan Am Museum Foundation. We know you have questions and the need to better understand the reasons behind the decision to integrate the two organizations. 


The purpose of the new entity is to continue the work begun over 50 years ago and build on that work through the established framework of the Museum.  The new entity's mission will be to educate, celebrate , and inspire present and future generations by preserving historical and diverse personal stories of Pan American World Airways. 


Next steps represent new beginnings, resetting of goals and objectives, a fresh start to ensure the legacy of Pan Am and its people is passed onto future generations. This is an exciting time to once again unite the Pan Am family.  We have much to celebrate in the coming years, let's do it together!


Please see the following list of Q & A's as a guide to questions asked about the suggested integration of World Wings International and the Pan Am Museum Foundation. Should you have a question not answered here, please feel free to email us at integration@thepanammuseum.org. 


Thank you, 


David Hinson and Linda Freire

Co-Chair's Integration Committee


FAQs

What will happen to my local chapter?

• Chapters remain the same at this time. Any and all suggested changes are open to

discussion, and none are set in stone.

• Effective January 1, 2026, Chapters will no longer need to perform the

financial/administrative duties required of a 501©(3) entity. Note that this is a planned

date but is still tentative.

• In keeping with our Pan Am legacy, chapters can become “Bases”.

• Instead of chapter officers, each “Base” can operate with a lead “Purser”, who is

responsible for organizing social gatherings and other local events.

• “Pursers” would provide communication regarding pertinent news from the “Bases” to

the National Board Liaison of the new entity.

• “Bases” would continue to enjoy social gatherings and events without the requirement

of holding meetings and keeping minutes.

• The new entity would no longer restrict membership to Pan Am Flight Service only.

• Chapters that have closed because of their inability to elect officers might choose to

come back as a “Base”.

Do I have to join the new entity? Cost? Yearly?

• At this time membership will not change and will remain at $50 per year.

• With an annual membership of $50 come the following benefits: free admission to the

Pan Am Museum in New York, a 10% discount for all merchandise in the on-site

Museum Store and a 10% discount for the new entity’s events and galas.

• “Base” gatherings are open to anyone to attend.

What if I purchased a Lifetime Membership with World Wings?

• All World Wings Lifetime Members will be grandfathered into the new entity along with

time remaining on a 5-year membership.

Can I buy a Lifetime Membership with the new entity?

• Unfortunately, it is not financially feasible for the new entity to have lifetime

membership categories. Yearly membership dues generate the yearly cash flow needed

to sustain and grow the Pan Am Museum.

What is the Mission Statement or Purpose of the new entity?

• The new entity will be created to preserve the enduring legacy of Pan American World

Airways.

• On display at the Museum are dynamic exhibits, stories of courageous aviators, flight

service contributions, historical videos, photographs, and actual aircraft that showcase

the history of Pan Am’s impact on aviation. Our goal will be to grow.

• We want this story to live on for generations to come.

Would there still be fundraising for Bases’ local charities?

• Chapters (Bases) could continue to support a local charity if they so choose.

What will happen to Angel Wings?

• Existing funds in the Angel Wings account will remain in place for assistance to those

former World Wings Members in need. Its administration remains the same.

• The fund will continue to operate as it does currently until the funds are depleted.

• No new contributions to the fund would be accepted beyond 12/21/25.

Will the museum stay in New York, or will it be relocated someday?

• The Pan Am Museum was founded in New York and is registered in New York. There will

always be a museum location in New York.

• Other locations, partnerships with other facilities and traveling exhibitions are, however,

all possible with the new entity.

What happens to MSF?

• Support for MSF will remain unchanged through the fiscal year 2025.

• Once the new entity is established, new charity options will be considered.

• A Pan American educational scholarship for aviation students has been recommended

as one way to satisfy our philanthropic wishes while sustaining our Pan Am legacy.

Events, Galas, Conventions and Cruises. How would this work?

• Because IRS requirements for an Annual World Wings meeting and election of Board

Members would no longer be mandatory for the “Bases”, conventions would no longer

be required.

• Galas, Events and Cruises will take the place of annual conventions and be held in

various places in the USA and internationally. Events of the new entity would cover a

range of activities such as bringing “Bases” together for fellowship, offering

opportunities to attend presentations on the history of Pan Am, serving as fundraisers

for the Museum and many more.

• Proposed Example One: A “Better Together” event in 2026, the Museum’s 10th

anniversary, would be the first joint Gala event taking place at the Pan Am Museum. It

would include a tour of the museum and an opportunity to meet the new board. The

evening before could be a dinner cruise around Manhattan to celebrate the new entity.

• Proposed Example Two: A national event celebrating the Pan Am 100th year anniversary

in 2027. Plans are in the works for a large event that would include all Pan Amers from

three organizations, as well as anyone that celebrates Pan Am as the premier pioneer in

aviation.

• The goal is to make the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Pan Am a national media event,

a fundraiser, and a time for all former Pan Am employees and Pan Am aficionados to

celebrate and unite.

Will there still be an Alaskan Cruise in 2025?

• Absolutely! World Wings will still sponsor the cruise, hopefully with pre-cruise events.

What will our website look like?

• The current World Wings website will remain until the new entity is in place and a new

website can be developed.

What will the new entity be called?

• The new name will be determined by feedback from both membership organizations.

How was this integration team selected?

What will happen to Jet Wings?

• Jet Wings will remain the same. As a member you will receive all the “Base” updates and

social events as you do now. When the new entity is in place, a range of new articles will

likely be added to the publication covering topics related to the Museum and all things

Pan Am.

Will there be a vote?

• Yes. Once all members feel like they have the information needed to make a decision.

• The vote will most likely occur at the beginning of 2025.

• The vote will be done electronically via your computer or cell phone.

Do you have a timeline for the new entity?

• Yes. The goal is for World Wings to close December 31, 2025, and the new entity to

begin January 1, 2026. This is only a goal and the December 31, 2025, date is flexible.

That date would be the earliest.

How will the dues be applied for World Wings in 2025?

• Currently the World Wings membership is valid from May 1 until April 30 yearly.

• The new entity membership will be valid from January 1 until December 31 yearly.

• World Wings members would still pay dues on May 1, 2025, and will be grandfathered

in with the new entity until April 30, 2026. The new entity would prorate the remaining

amount due (May 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026) to maintain membership.